STEVE Bruce today said he was satisfied at landing Borja Oubina on loan after being 'led up the garden path' by Peter Luccin.

STEVE Bruce today said he was satisfied at landing Borja Oubina on loan after being 'led up the garden path' by Peter Luccin.

Oubina was tipped for a £8million transfer from Celta Vigo to Benfica before Blues stepped into the reckoning.

They agreed to pay Celta Vigo around £880,000 as a loan fee to take Oubina to the season's end, with a view to a permanent deal.

Blues only just managed to lodge details of the midfielder's transfer before Friday's midnight transfer window deadline.

"Very early in the week, it looked odds-on as if he was going to Benfica," said Bruce. "That didn't happen, and we jumped on the back of it.

"We were very disappointed with what happened with Peter Luccin. On Wednesday and up until the Thursday night at 6.30pm we thought it was a done deal.

"Then it all went quiet, we were lead up the garden path a little bit with it. So that left us with not much time.

"But Oubina's a quality player, he captained his club last season and he played 30-odd times.

"He has two caps for Spain and I'm delighted he's come here," he added.

Luccin ended up signing for Real Zaragoza for £1.9million.

And, ironically, Blues made a note of both players when Luccin was on loan to Celta in 2004. Oubina made his Champions League debut at Arsenal in a last-16 tie in March alongside Luccin in midfield, with Blues chief scout Bernard Paintin watching from the stands.

Oubina, who was also interesting Real Betis and Manchester City, told home-town club Celta that he wanted to leave after their relegation last season.

He is regarded as a defensive pivot who can create and break forward.

Although not blessed with great pace, he keeps possesion and passes the ball well.